The 2024 Safari 7s is just around the corner, and this year’s tournament promises to be full of surprises as it will be hosted at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, marking the first time the event will take place outside Nairobi.
Scheduled for October 11-13,2024, the tournament is set to bring a fresh experience for fans and players alike.
In an interview with SportPesa Blog, Kenya Rugby Union director Leslie Mwangale explained the decision behind changing the venue from its traditional hosting place in Nairobi.
According to him, the decision stemmed from various factors, including the closure of other stadiums for renovations in preparation for the upcoming CHAN and AFCON games.
He also noted that the RFUEA Grounds along Ngong Road is too small to accommodate the increasing number of fans and players.
“Now that the competition is growing, we believed we needed a bigger place to do it. In my opinion RFUEA is quiet small and it will not be able to accommodate fans and players. And other stadiums in Nairobi are closed for renovation,” Mwangale said.
He emphasized that Machakos is conveniently located near Nairobi, making it easily accessible for both fans and participants and highlighted that the capacity at Kenyatta Stadium can serve the needs of everyone involved.
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“Machakos is near Nairobi and everyone will be able to access it easily. It will also be able to cater for both players and teams,” he stated.
Aside from the venue change, Mwangale mentioned that there will be notable improvements in the women’s competition this year. He reassured fans that the event will be well-organized, promising excellent management of the venue.
A total of eight teams have confirmed their participation, with Kenya represented by the Morans, Shujaas, and the Kenya Harlequins, who were crowned champions of the national sevens circuit.
Shujaa celebrate winning Safari 7s 2023
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Uganda and Zimbabwe have also confirmed their attendance, alongside teams from Britain and Qatar.
Last season’s finale saw Shujaa triumph over Samurai with a decisive 19-0 victory. Uganda secured third place with a solid 31-7 win against Germany while Kenya Morans finished fifth after defeating KCB 26-0.
In the women’s category, the Uganda Lady Cranes triumphed against the Kenya Lionesses with a narrow 15-12 win that saw them clinch the Safari Sevens women’s title.
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture talent
Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke